2010-2011 Mainstage

Dougie MacLean

One of Scotland's most respected and popular musicians and one of the most requested returning performers in the Mainstage Series. A singer/songwriter, composer and magical performer, he is best known for his moving song “Caledonia” and melody “The Gael” (as heard in The Last of the Mohicans).

Bearfoot

Winner of the acclaimed Telluride Bluegrass Band Contest, Bearfoot showcases bluegrass licks that appeal to traditionalists as well as “newgrass” audiences with pop influences.

'S Wonderful - The New Gershwin Musical

An all-singing, all-dancing musical revue that incorporates five mini-musicals inspired by the real events occurring in and around the lives of the Gershwin brothers.

Blood Done Sign My Name

A dramatic staging of the critically acclaimed book by Tim Tyson, Blood Done Sign My Name addresses America’s painful racial history.

Dailey & Vincent

One of the nation's most celebrated new bluegrass acts. Both members of the duo are career bluegrass musicians who never depart from the core sensibility of the genre while also beautifully pushing the bluegrass envelope.

A Swannanoa Solstice

An ensemble of world renowned recording artists led by Al Petteway, Amy White and Robin Bullock. It is an Asheville holiday tradition, returning for the 8th annual performance of joyful, thoughtful seasonal celebration.

Pilobolus

Acclaimed for its mix of humor, invention, and drama, Pilobolus began as an experiment among three guys in a Dartmouth College dance class back in 1970, who goofed around and got entangled in various science-inspired poses and movements.

Pilobolus

Acclaimed for its mix of humor, invention, and drama, Pilobolus began as an experiment among three guys in a Dartmouth College dance class back in 1970, who goofed around and got entangled in various science-inspired poses and movements.

Aquila in Pirandello's Six Characters in Search of an Author

Aquila Theatre presents an exciting new production of Nobel Laureate Luigi Pirandello's famous drama. Six Characters in Search of an Author dares to ask fundamental questions about the very nature of art and entertainment, blurring the line between reality and artifice.

Aquila in Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream

Aquila Theatre presents an exciting new production of the timeless Shakespeare comedy A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Set against a classical Athenian backdrop, A Midsummer Night's Dream explores the universal theme of love through Aquila’s fresh and imaginative interpretation.

Doug Varone and Dancers

Kinetically thrilling dances make essential connections and mine the complexity of the human spirit, commanding attention for its expansive vision, versatility and technical prowess.

Doug Varone and Dancers

Kinetically thrilling dances make essential connections and mine the complexity of the human spirit, commanding attention for its expansive vision, versatility and technical prowess.

Sweet Plantain String Quartet

A refreshingly new string quartet that thrills audiences with original compositions and contemporary works by Latin American composers.

Cathie Ryan

Named Irish Female Vocalist of the Decade and awarded the Concert of the Year Award by Chicago’s Irish American News, Cathie Ryan’s captivating vocals place her firmly in the vanguard of Celtic performers.

Billy D. Washington

The clever and quirky comedian Billy D. Washington is a top-notch stand-up comedian and an enormously talented musician. Often incorporating deft keyboard playing into his comedy act, his talents have taken him from a career as a policeman to being the opening act for Aretha Franklin.

Mountain Heart with Tony Rice

Mountain Heart's musical virtuosity, unmatched energy, and entertainment dynamics appeal to a wide variety of musical tastes. Appearing with Mountain Heart is guitar legend Tony Rice, who spans the range of acoustic music.

Dervish

At the forefront of Celtic music for over two decades, Dervish is one of the all-time great Irish traditional bands. Be transported by the remarkable energy of this magical band and its charismatic singer, Cathy Jordan, to an Irish session evocative of the spirited pubs and wild beauty of the west of Ireland.

Viver Brasil

The award-winning Viver Brasil takes audiences for an inspiring cultural journey through Brazil, featuring a dazzling program of African orixás (deified ancestral saints), ceremonial celebrations, the martial arts/dance form of Capoeira, and lively Carnival with Feet on the Ground.

Viver Brasil

The award-winning Viver Brasil takes audiences for an inspiring cultural journey through Brazil, featuring a dazzling program of African orixás (deified ancestral saints), ceremonial celebrations, the martial arts/dance form of capoeira, and lively Carnaval with Feet on the Ground.

Destino

Pop with an opera flair, Destino enthralls by combining the romance of opera with pop, gospel, and soul selections delivered via its two award-winning, classically trained professional tenors, accompanied by piano and violin.

Turtle Island Quartet with Mike Marshall

Two-time Grammy winning Turtle Island Quartet joins Mike Marshall, a favorite of Asheville classical and bluegrass audiences undertake a musical journey across the American landscape.

The Paul McKenna Band

One of the hottest, fastest-rising young groups in Scotland, and their contemporary approach to traditional instrumentation have already have already earned raves as the “best band of its generation.”

Liz Carroll & Dáithí Sproule

One of the world's greatest Irish fiddlers joined by one of the world's premier and innovative guitarists, Liz Carroll & Dáithí Sproule grace the stage to wrap up the Mainstage Celtic Series.

Brown vs. The Board of Education

A one-man show portraying the Supreme Court's historic 1954 decision making segregation unconstitutional.

The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe

A musical based on C.S. Lewis' imaginative adventure story about four children who travel to the magical land of Narnia.

The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe

A musical based on C.S. Lewis' imaginative adventure story about four children who travel to the magical land of Narnia.

Fancy Nancy and other stories

Children will love this musical revue featuring six stories, including popular "Fancy Nancy" and "Duck for President."

A Midsummer Night's Dream

Shakespeare's classic comedy comes to life in this full-length play about love, jealousy, confusion and marriage.

Doug Varone and Dancers

Stimulate your students' imaginations with this internationally renowned modern dance company whose works are known for their exuberance, emotion, and strong connection to the human spirit.

My Heart in a Suitcase

A survivor's story, set during the Nazi Holocaust, which teaches children the importance of combating intolerance.

My Heart in a Suitcase

A survivor's story, set during the Nazi Holocaust, which teaches children the importance of combating intolerance.

Viver Brasil Dance Company

Fusing Brazilian and African dance styles, this energetic dance company brings ancient stories to life through contemporary movement.

If You Give a Mouse a Cookie and other story books

When a boy shares his snack with a hungry, demanding mouse, he learns a hilarious lesson about causes-and-effect.

If You Give a Mouse a Cookie and other story books

When a boy shares his snack with a hungry, demanding mouse, he learns a hilarious lesson about causes-and-effect.

Craig Karges presents "Experience the Extraordinary!"

Craig Karges presents "Experience the Extraordinary," a special benefit performance for the Diana Wortham Theatre that challenges the imagination with mind-blowing illusions.